Pearl Jam played live at Easy Street Records last week. The surprise performance in West Seattle was in support of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a meeting in Seattle. The band played a 90-minute set that wowed the 200 in attendance. (COALITION OF INDEPENDENT MUSIC STORES) less

Pearl Jam played live at Easy Street Records last week. The surprise performance in West Seattle was in support of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a ... more

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People in the News: Phillippe was this close to being Vader

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Call it fate! Ryan Phillippemay have been the one succumbing to the Dark Side in "Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith," due out later this month. Instead, he's facing fate and prejudice in the suburban streets of L.A. as a rookie police officer in "Crash."

According to Scripps Howard News Service, Phillippe says he feels as if everything kind of happens for a reason, even his losing out the Anakin Skywalker role when "Episode II" was being cast. "Everybody has their own paths. The time will come for me for a movie like that, if it's meant to be."

Meanwhile, he's happy that "Crash," which opened in theaters this week, came his way. The film already is being resoundingly embraced by critics and audiences.

"That's the reason why you make 'em," says Phillippe. "It's great to be in one that you can be proud of and you feel like, 'I want people to see this.' "

What kind of a business executive kicks off a meeting by lifting a pant leg and showing off a shoe? A brave one, that's for sure. According to USA Today, "Martha Stewart showed off her lucky shoes -- gold clogs, actually -- to advertisers as she re-launched her syndicated daytime show. It will be renamed "Martha" when it premieres nationally on Sept. 12." But she didn't show them the ankle bracelet she wears as part of her house arrest.

Some of these new shows will be taped before a live audience. They're supposed to show the softer, sweeter side of Stewart. She'll have celebrity guests." I really like people a tremendous amount, and I like talking to them, and I'm very curious about what they're all about," she said. "Having a live audience (will) be a very exciting addition."

The sweet new Martha was very careful in her selection of a co-producer. Before giving reality-TV expert Mark Burnettthe job, she invited him to her home, where she showed him a video on how to fold a T-shirt. (Are you laughing yet?) Then it was Burnett's turn to show what he'd learned. Fortunately, he aced T-shirt folding. And after that he still wants to work with her? Who knows, maybe he also can iron.

How about some background? The play is about a guy who goes into a bar and asks the bartender who he would kill if he could. The bartender says, "Russell Crowe." Why Crowe? He doesn't pay for his drinks and leaves only an unsigned headshot behind, so goes the play. Playwright Jeremy Kehoeexplained the play isn't about Crowe. "I'd love to have Russell Crowe come to see the play. If he's savvy, he'd see that it's not an attack on him personally, but on the two-tier system in which there is a set of rules for people of power and privilege and for everyone else."

Jeannette Walls of MSNBC News, reports that "the real life Crowe is not amused. He has blasted the "imputation I do not pay my way" and has labeled the playwright "desperate."

Kehoe thinks Crowe would love to star in the play. After all, Crowe's character gets to beat up a couple of guys.

Kristen Bell, 24, told TVguide.com she has no desire to follow in Britney Spears' footsteps. "If I released an album it would be a lot different from the choices most girls my age have made." She has no interest in writing her own music, but probably would include Judy Garland songs.

Although Bell got rave reviews for her role in the Showtime musical "Reefer Madness," she's not about to make like Nicole Kidmanor Renée Zellwegeragain. Apparently working on "Madness" clued her in to the grueling work that goes into a musical for the big screen.

Some lucky GI's are about to find out if Lindsay Lohanhas a bedside manner. New York's Daily News reports the actress has military hospitals on her list of places to visit when she promotes "Herbie: Fully Loaded" overseas this summer.